U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, expeditiously load an AIM-120C Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air missile into a F-35C Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, MAG-11, 3rd MAW, during exercise Steel Knight 25 at Southern California Logistics Airport California, Dec. 10, 2025. The Victorville node provided the infrastructure needed for rapid re-arming and refueling, allowing 3rd MAW aircraft to remain lethal and responsive in a simulated modern contested environment. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to respond forward, integrate across domains, and sustain Marine Air-Ground Task Force readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Renee Gray)